get one’s blue—(Oxford and Cambridge) be awarded a blue cap, scarf, etc. for representing one’s university in athletics: He will get his blue next term and show that he’s a jolly good fellow. get the blues—(coll.) feel sad or depressed (also: have the blues): His excess energy can be misdirected, especially when he gets the […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
Difference between Get on with it and Get with it
get on with it—continue with what one is doing: My partner is drinking too much but every time I mention it we end up arguing—should I just let him get on with it? get with it—(coll.) respond to new ideas, styles, etc.; become modern: My wish to you, especially the older dairy farmers, is to […]
Difference between Get on to something and Get on towards something
get on to something— 1. get in touch with an office, etc., especially by telephone: I must get on to the shop about the order that we’ve been waiting for. 2. begin to talk about smth.: Do not dwell too much on small-talk; get on to the subject of your job search fairly quickly. 3. […]
Difference between Get on the bandwagon and Go on the wagon
get on the bandwagon—join in what seems likely to be a successful enterprise (in the hope of a personal gain): Once it was clear that he would be elected, all the uncommitted politicians tried to get on the bandwagon. go on the wagon—intend not to drink any alcohol at all: Carter says that he is […]
Difference between Get on one’s high horse and Get on one’s horse
get on one’s high horse—(also: ride one’s high horse) become dignified and formal; assume an arrogant mien: As soon as I said a little slang to her she got on her high horse. get on one’s horse—(sl.) hurry; start at once: You better get on your horse if you’re going to make that plane. Note: […]
Difference between Get on like a house on fire and Go like a house on fire
get on like a house on fire—(also: get along like a house on fire) become good friends in a very short time: “How are your new neighbors?” “Pretty well, their sons and ours get on like a house on fire.” go like a house on fire— 1. (of an event, activity, etc.) be very successful: […]
Difference between Get off the ground and Touch ground
get off the ground—(of a project, scheme, etc.) make a successful start: The project never got off the ground because of red tape and lack of organization. touch ground—get to reality: Now we are really beginning to touch ground. Tell us exactly how much you can put into the enterprise.
Difference between Get off one’s high horse and Get off one’s soap box
get off one’s high horse—(coll.) stop behaving arrogant or superior: He does need to get off his high horse and rid himself of the belief that he is going to save the world. get off one’s soap box—stop speaking out in an irritatingly overbearing way: You really need to get off your soap box. Every […]
Difference between Get off one’s bike and Get on one’s bike
get off one’s bike—(Austral., NZ sl.) get agitated or annoyed: “I tell you I saw no-one.” “Don’t get off your bike, son. I know you’re tellin’ lies.” get on one’s bike —(coll.) start making an effort to do smth.: With rent to pay and a wife and baby, I had to get on my bike. […]
Difference between Get off on the wrong foot and Get out of bed with the wrong foot foremost
get off on the wrong foot—make a bad beginning: I am afraid we get off on the wrong foot by openly showing our hostility to the proposals. get out of bed with the wrong foot foremost—be in a bad temper when one gets up: I am afraid you got out of bed with the wrong […]
Difference between Get off base and Get to first base
get off base—(coll.) be erroneous or inappropriate: While the author did a good job building her characters, she really got off base with her Agatha Christie research. get to first base—(also: reach first base) get to the initial stage: The outcome, of course, is now history; the wiretap bill never got to first base.
Difference between Get mixed up with someone and Mix it up with someone
get mixed up with someone—become associated with a person, especially smb. disreputable: Don’t get mixed up with him—he’s a crook! mix it up with someone—(coll.) start a quarrel or fight with a person: Don’t try mixing it up with me—I’ve got a gun!